It has successfully supported research for United States crewed spacecraft programs and numerous uncrewed projects.

The facility uses vertical drop tests in a vacuum chamber to investigate the behavior of systems, components, liquids, gases, and combustion in microgravity.

Test equipment is typically mounted in a cylindrical container, and has a maximum weight of 2,500 pounds (1,100 kg).

[2] The Zero Gravity Research Facility was built in 1966 as part of NASA's Centaur upper-stage rocket development program.

The facility was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1985 for its role in the early space program.